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Alabama TE Brian Vogler brings 'new attitude' after taking 'nonchalant' approach early in his career

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Alabama tight end Brian Vogler (84) works out alone as he recovers from an ankle injury, wearing a non-contact black jersey during Alabama's Tuesday football practice, Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The nagging injuries were a drag. So, too, were the missed opportunities to help Alabama pick up first downs and move down the field.

So, with time running out on his Crimson Tide career, Brian Vogler did something about it. His fifth and final offseason differed from the previous four. Gone was the veteran tight end's "nonchalant" approach.

"I've been nonchalant throughout my career putting in the extra work – putting in the bare minimum to get by," he said after Friday's practice, Alabama's first of the preseason. "This summer and this spring, I've come in with a whole new attitude of I want to be the first-in, last-out kind of guy and that's the identity I'm trying to create as a player."

At 6-foot-7 and 263 pounds, Vogler's always been one of Alabama's biggest targets in the passing game. Now, he'll be an even stronger one, as he added "some mass" and lowered his body-fat percentage.

It's nothing noticeable to the casual bystander but it's been enough to buoy Vogler's confidence entering his final year at Alabama.

"It's something I've really taken to heart," he said, "something I've really wanted to do going into this last year."

The Crimson Tide's best blocking tight end, Vogler was constantly involved in Alabama's passing game, but the ball only came his way on occasion during his junior season. He finished with eight receptions for 71 yards with his longest catch going for 18. His first career touchdown came one quarter before he injured his ankle -- one of the moments that inspired him to bring a different approach to his last hurrah.

With preseason all-SEC first-team selection O.J. Howard working alongside him and former Georgia tight end Ty Flournoy-Smith joining the fray this fall, Vogler, who started all 12 of the games he played, saw the writing on the wall.

The "bare minimum" wasn't going to cut it.

"I just was seeing guys do so well, you know, and looking at last year how things ended," Vogler said. "I think I can help my body out by being in better shape and being a little bit stronger to protect myself, I can go throughout the season being healthier."

And, in theory, help position himself for more opportunities in Alabama's passing attack.

"I cherish it a little bit more," he said, "knowing it's my last opportunity to get better and prove who I am to the coaches knowing I can be an asset to this offense."